Vascular loop in the cerebellopontine angle: Clinical-radiological correlation.

BACKGROUND: The brainstem, situated in the posterior fossa, connects the brain to the spinal cord. Owing to its location, the nerves of the brainstem are closely related with vascular structures. OBJECTIVES: To correlate the finding of vascular loops in the cerebellopontine angle on imaging with symptoms indicative of vestibulocochlear involvement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective descriptive study included all patients evaluated between 2011 and 2017 with findings suggestive of vascular loops in the cerebellopontine angle for whom the clinical history and imaging studies were available. RESULTS: A total of 102 patients (63 women and 39 men) had vestibulocochlear involvement. The most common clinical indication was dizziness (41.18%). A unilateral vascular loop was found in 43 patients (right: 21.57%, left: 20.59%) and bilateral loops were found in 59 (57.84%) patients. The most common type of vascular loop was type II (right: 69.14%; left: 58.75%). The most common origin of vascular loops was the anterior inferior cerebellar artery (right: 66.67%, left: 65.00%). No associations were observed between vascular loops and sensorineural hearing, nystagmus, or vertigo. There was an association with tinnitus. CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE: The presence of vascular loops is not associated with most auditory symptoms. Nevertheless, all findings on imaging studies must be reported. The interpretation of the findings of imaging studies must be correlated with the clinical symptoms after other more common causes that can explain the symptoms have been ruled out.

Correlación clínico-radiológica del asa vascular del ángulo pontocerebeloso / Vascular loop in the cerebellopontine angle: clinical-radiological correlation

Antecedentes: El tronco encefálico, situado en la fosa posterior, conecta el cerebro con la médula espinal. Debido a su ubicación, sus componentes nerviosos guardan una estrecha relación con estructuras vasculares. Objetivos: Describir una relación clínico-radiológica del asa vascular del ángulo pontocerebeloso en pacientes con síntomas indicativos de afectación vestibulococlear mediante evaluación por neuroimagen. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo y descriptivo. Se incluyeron todos los pacientes evaluados entre 2011 y 2017 con indicios de asa vascular del ángulo pontocerebeloso e historial clínico y estudios de diagnóstico por imagen disponibles. Resultados: 102 pacientes (63 mujeres y 39 hombres) presentaban afectación vestibulococlear. La indicación clínica más frecuente fue mareos (41,18%). Se halló asa vascular unilateral en 43 pacientes (derecho: 21,57%, izquierdo: 20,59%) y bilateral en 59 pacientes (57,84%). El tipo de asa vascular más frecuente fue el tipo II (derecho: 69,14%; izquierdo: 58,75%). El origen más frecuente fue la arteria cerebelosa anteroinferior (ACAI) (derecha: 66,67%, izquierda: 65,00%). No se observó ninguna asociación entre asas vasculares y pérdida de audición neurosensitiva, nistagmo o vértigo. Se halló una asociación con acúfenos. Conclusiones y significación: La presencia de asas vasculares no se asocia a la mayoría de los síntomas auditivos. No obstante, deben notificarse todos los hallazgos de los estudios por imagen. La interpretación de los hallazgos de los estudios por imagen debe correlacionarse con los síntomas clínicos después de excluir otras causas más frecuentes que puedan explicar la sintomatología.(AU)

Background: The brainstem, situated in the posterior fossa, connects the brain to the spinal cord. Owing to its location, the nerves of the brainstem are closely related with vascular structures. Objectives: To correlate the finding of vascular loops in the cerebellopontine angle on imaging with symptoms indicative of vestibulocochlear involvement. Materials and methods: This retrospective descriptive study included all patients evaluated between 2011 and 2017 with findings suggestive of vascular loops in the cerebellopontine angle for whom the clinical history and imaging studies were available. Results: A total of 102 patients (63 women and 39 men) had vestibulocochlear involvement. The most common clinical indication was dizziness (41.18%). A unilateral vascular loop was found in 43 patients (right: 21.57%, left: 20.59%) and bilateral loops were found in 59 (57.84%) patients. The most common type of vascular loop was type II (right: 69.14%; left: 58.75%). The most common origin of vascular loops was the anterior inferior cerebellar artery (right: 66.67%, left: 65.00%). No associations were observed between vascular loops and sensorineural hearing, nystagmus, or vertigo. There was an association with tinnitus. Conclusions and significance: The presence of vascular loops is not associated with most auditory symptoms. Nevertheless, all findings on imaging studies must be reported. The interpretation of the findings of imaging studies must be correlated with the clinical symptoms after other more common causes that can explain the symptoms have been ruled out.(AU)

Vascular loop in the cerebellopontine angle: clinical-radiological correlation. / Correlación clínico-radiológica del asa vascular del ángulo pontocerebeloso.

BACKGROUND: The brainstem, situated in the posterior fossa, connects the brain to the spinal cord. Owing to its location, the nerves of the brainstem are closely related with vascular structures. OBJECTIVES: To correlate the finding of vascular loops in the cerebellopontine angle on imaging with symptoms indicative of vestibulocochlear involvement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective descriptive study included all patients evaluated between 2011 and 2017 with findings suggestive of vascular loops in the cerebellopontine angle for whom the clinical history and imaging studies were available. RESULTS: A total of 102 patients (63 women and 39 men) had vestibulocochlear involvement. The most common clinical indication was dizziness (41.18%). A unilateral vascular loop was found in 43 patients (right: 21.57%, left: 20.59%) and bilateral loops were found in 59 (57.84%) patients. The most common type of vascular loop was type II (right: 69.14%; left: 58.75%). The most common origin of vascular loops was the anterior inferior cerebellar artery (right: 66.67%, left: 65.00%). No associations were observed between vascular loops and sensorineural hearing, nystagmus, or vertigo. There was an association with tinnitus. CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE: The presence of vascular loops is not associated with most auditory symptoms. Nevertheless, all findings on imaging studies must be reported. The interpretation of the findings of imaging studies must be correlated with the clinical symptoms after other more common causes that can explain the symptoms have been ruled out.

[Pediatric traumatic brain injury due to civil gunshot wounds at a General Hospital in Cali, Colombia]. / Traumatismo craneoencefálico pediátrico secundario a heridas por arma de fuego en un Hospital General en Cali, Colombia.

OBJECTIVES: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) due to gunshot-wounds (GSW) is a critical situation in the pediatric population. The aim of this study is to characterize TBI in this population since there are few reports that describe it especially in Colombia where its incidence is high, also to determine which were the main mortality predictor within our population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study in which we reviewed pediatric medical records of patients that had consulted at the Fundacion Valle del Lili pediatric Emergency Room between January of 2011 and December of 2015 because of TBI due to GSW. A descriptive statistical analysis was performed. RESULTS: In our sample of 32 patients the average age was of 13.3 (SD ± 5.4) and with 75% male patients. In our sample the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) at entry was less than 8 in 59.38%, a 15.6% needed craniotomy and 81.2% were admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Death occurred in 43.75% of cases. The following mortality predictors were obtained: GCS at entry, pupillary exam and light reflexes, ISS, Marshal Score, absence of basal cisterns and presence of subarachnoid hemorrhage in CT scan, and APACHE II. CONCLUSIONS: TBI due to GSW is a devastating entity, especially in the pediatric population, they are responsible of high mortality and disability rates. There were no significant findings regarding infection rates and the use of surgery as a preventive method, therefore there's a chance it might not be indicated.

OBJETIVO: El traumatismo craneoencefálico (TCE) secundario a heridas por arma de fuego (HPAF) es una situación crítica, especialmente en la población pediátrica. El objetivo de este estudio es caracterizar el TCE en esta población dado que existen pocos reportes al respecto, especialmente en Colombia, y determinar cuáles fueron los principales predictores de mortalidad en nuestra población. MATERIALES Y METODOS: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo retrospectivo en el cual se revisaron historias clínicas pediátricas de aquellos pacientes que consultaron al servicio de urgencias de la Fundación Valle del Lili entre enero de 2011 y diciembre de 2015 por TCE debido a HPAF. Se ejecutó un análisis estadístico descriptivo con las variables a considerar. RESULTADOS: Se obtuvo una muestra de 32 pacientes con una edad promedio de 13,3 (SD ± 5,4) y de predominio masculino (75%). Se encontró que el Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) de ingreso < 8 se presentó en el 59,38% de los casos con un 15,6% que requirieron craniectomía y un 81,2% fue hospitalizado en Unidad de Cuidado Intensivo (UCI). El 43,75% fallecieron. Se obtuvieron los siguientes predictores de mortalidad: GCS de ingreso, examen y reflejos pupilares, ISS, Marshall Score, cisternas basales cerradas y presencia de hemorragia subaracnoidea en la tomografía axial computarizada y APACHE II. CONCLUSIONES: En la presente serie, no se encontró evidencia significativa entre los pacientes tratados quirúrgicamente o no, lo cual podría sugerir que un manejo conservador, individualizando cada caso, es una conducta aceptable y segura.